Everywhere you turn, there is a 5k on Thanksgiving morning. These so-called "turkey trots" are definitely something we can be thankful for.
Why? It's a great and healthy way to start a day that can often end in overindulging. Generally, the Thanksgiving holiday finds people taking in extra calories. And this can carry into the rest of the December holidays as well. We can think, "I've worked hard this year and I am going to cut myself some slack 'til January."
I am all for that if it means resting the body and giving the muscles a break from hard training. I am not all for it if it becomes an excuse to pack on pounds. An increase in caloric intake this time of the year, coupled with a decrease in overall physical activity, results in putting on between 3 and 5 pounds we then tend to carry with us for the rest of the year. To say nothing of that fact that as we continue to get older watching our diet for fats and sugars becomes even more important.
Now this doesn't mean you bypass the pumpkin pie or forgo your favorite dish of mash potatoes. It merely means use good common sense and conscious thinking when making choices about what is best to eat and when enough is enough.
Approach holiday eating this way. Keep your diet healthy day in and day out and your exercise at levels that keep you fit, even if you are trying to rest. Reduce the duration perhaps, but make sure you are getting in some sort of cardiovascular work each day, or at minimum 5 days a week.
As parties, holidays and celebrations approach, make sure you are making responsible and conscious choices about your food. For example, if you know you are heading to your family's house for Thanksgiving and there will be a lot of tasty food - some healthy, some not - then don't arrive ravenous, because you haven't eaten all day and you've "saved room." You'll arrive too hungry and overindulge. Instead, eat breakfast and a good lunch. If you arrive with a reasonable appetite you are much more likely to make better food choices and push back from the table when you are properly full.
I have what is called the 90/10 rule. And it applies throughout the holidays as well as day in and day out. ABout 90 percent of what you eat should line up with your health and fitness goals. The other 10 percent doesn't matter. Now it's not 80/20 or 75/25 or 60/40. It's 90/10. This thinking allows you to enjoy "treats", but in moderation. That keeps the deprivation monster away from the door. Because if we try to be perfect, saying no to all the "treats", it will eventually catch up to us and we'll fall completely off the wagon. Going 90/10 allows us to have a bit without suffering any ill consequences. And that is the way to go.
So enjoy your Thanksgiving meal with friends and family. Have a great holiday season. And if you follow these guidelines, you'll get to the start of 2009 fit and healthy, without having to worry about taking off holiday pounds and inches.
Happy Thanksgiving!
